How life has changed in Redbridge

Redbridge's population increased by about 40,300 between the last two censuses. This semi-automated article highlights some of the key changes among the local population.

The population passed quarter of a million

In the decade to 2011, the population of Redbridge increased by 16.9%, from just under 239,000 to 279,000.

The addition of about 40,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Redbridge was home to, on average, 35 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

A younger Redbridge

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Redbridge decreased by one year, from 35 to 34 years.

This area had a higher average age than London and remained younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of about 8,800 people between the ages of 20 and 29 years, while the population between 70 and 79 years decreased by about 400.

About 15.0% of people in Redbridge are aged between 20 and 29 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Redbridge by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Redbridge

In 2011, 41.8% of Redbridge residents said they were from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups, up from 25.8% in 2001. The 16.0 percentage point change was the largest increase among ethnic groups in this area.

Across London, the percentage of people from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from 13.2% to 18.5%, while across England the percentage went from 5.2% to 8.0%.

Around 42.5% of people in Redbridge said they were from one of the White ethnic groups, compared with 63.5% in 2001. About 8.9% said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, compared with 7.6% a decade prior.

The percentage of people who said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from 2.4% to 4.1%.

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as differing patterns of ageing or of moving to or from an area for work or education. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups in Redbridge increased by 16 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Redbridge by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Redbridge

The 2011 Census asked a voluntary question about religion. Of those who chose to disclose their religious affiliation, the largest percentage point increase in Redbridge was among those who said they were Muslim, rising 12.0 points.

In 2011, 24.9% of respondents in Redbridge gave this answer to the question on religion, compared with 12.9% of those who answered in 2001.

Across London, the percentage of people who answered the question on religion and described themselves as Muslim increased from 9.3% to 13.5%, while across England the percentage went from 3.5% to 5.6%.

Of those who disclosed their religion in Redbridge, 39.4% said they were Christian, compared with 54.8% in 2001. About 12.2% said they were Hindu, compared with 8.4% a decade prior.

In Redbridge, 6.5% chose not to answer the question on religious affiliation, compared with 7.4% in 2001. Across London, 8.5% did not answer the voluntary question, compared with 7.7% in 2001.

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as differing patterns of ageing or of moving to or from an area for work or education. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Muslim in Redbridge increased by 12 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents who answered the voluntary question on religion in England, London and Redbridge by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer homes without children

Redbridge saw England's second-largest fall in the proportion of households without children.

In 2011, just under one in two (50.0%) households in Redbridge had no children, compared with 55.5% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child increased from 33.2% to 38.5%.

England's largest decrease in the proportion of households without children occurred in Barking and Dagenham (from 54.7% to 48.0%).

The proportion of households without children was lower than across London

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in Redbridge

Redbridge saw London's second-largest fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just under 1 in 16 (6.2%) in Redbridge reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 6.8% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.2% to 3.6%.

Across the region, only Barking and Dagenham saw a greater fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 5.7% to 4.7%).

Every local authority area across London saw a fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability, as the regional average fell from 5.8% to 5.3%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care

The percentage of Redbridge residents that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.2% to 1.6% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The percentage who reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 2.0%.

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 1.0% in 2001 to 1.3% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 1.1% to 1.4%.

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care in Redbridge remained close to 1.6%

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Redbridge by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Redbridge at a faster rate than across England.

In Redbridge, the proportion of private renting increased from 12.8% in 2001 to 22.9% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England increased from 9.9% to 16.9%.

Across London, the share of privately rented homes increased from 15.3% to 25.1%.

The rate of social housing in Redbridge increased from 10.1% to 11.4%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 74.9% to 63.6%.

Private renting in Redbridge increased by 10 percentage points

Percentage of households in Redbridge, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Redbridge residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.4% to 4.9% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83.1%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69.8% in 2001. While the percentage of Redbridge residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21.9% to 12.0%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 8.3% in 2001 to 5.0% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Redbridge decreased by 3.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Redbridge, London and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Redbridge residents that were unemployed increased from 3.6% to 5.3% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under one in two (47.9%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 50.1% in 2001. The percentage of Redbridge residents that were self-employed increased from 9.6% to 11.8%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 4.4% in 2001 to 5.2% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in Redbridge increased by 1.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Redbridge, London and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

More people worked short hours

The percentage of employed people in Redbridge working less than 16 hours increased from 2.0% to 3.7% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just over 1 in 11 (9.5%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, compared with 12.4% in 2001.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 2.0% in 2001 to 3.3% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 1.9% to 3.1%.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week in Redbridge increased by 1.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Redbridge, London and England that said they had worked less than 16 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Relationships in Redbridge

The percentage of married people changed very little here, while the proportion fell across England.

In Redbridge, the proportion of married people decreased from 51.2% in 2001 to 50.5% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England decreased from 50.6% to 46.6%.

Across London, the share of married people decreased from 41.7% to 40.3%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership in Redbridge increased from 32.3% to 34.6%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 8.8% to 9.1%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households in Redbridge, which comprised a cohabiting couple, decreased from 6.3% to 5.9% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in four (25.5%) households had only one person, compared with 29.1% in 2001. The percentage of households in Redbridge which comprised a married couple (with or without children) remained close to 36.8%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 8.1% in 2001 to 8.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was lower than across London

Percentage of households that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

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